Just ftr, I was born in 1979, and my 'rents were married in 1968. Mom was 30 when she had me, the second child. So, it's not common, but I don't think it's completely unpossible.

1974 and mine were married in their early 20s in 1958, and my little brother was born in 1976 (my sister was born in '60). So, no, not unpossible. Just improbable enough that it raised my brow.

I can see how Dean was old enough to be angry, to question, and to be as practical as John would be about it, whereas nobody told Sammy they were only there for the gossip and the holy water.

Hee. And, yeah.

Sam + prayer and Dean not knowing doesn't bug me at all, oddly. 1) Sammy's the type to pray on the inside, taking a few minutes that look like quiet contemplation to talk to his god. 2) It's not like the Winchesters are known for their sharing-and-caring moments

Also, I suspect both Dean and John (I mean, look at Dean in Faith, for cryin' out loud) probably gave off enough Nonbeliever Vibes that Sam kept that little part of his personality to himself. Not that I'm having Sam Identification Issues here. Oh no.

Capping Nightshifter really showed me just how damn mobile JA's face is. The frame by frame emotional reactions are nice to watch.

My current fav is the Staring Rapt at Screen face from that episode. With the slightly open mouth and the almost-innocent expression?

I haven't chosen a fav JP face. I should.

And maybe it's because I wasn't paying attention to the canon in the first season, but has there been *any* hints that any of the boys were religious?

I'm going to have to rewatch Faith, but I think that, as far as possible retcons go, it's one that blends pretty smoothly with what we saw of Sam there.

That having been said, that's Dean's sort of God--as violent and visceral as the evil he fights.

Yeah. This.

That having been said, that's Dean's sort of God--as violent and visceral as the evil he fights. And Sam feeling that this not being an angel meant that there was no God, and that his salvation was only Dean? Also totally in character.

I think this is what saved this episode for me. This, I believed.

Oh, yeah. Dean's God is pretty old-testament, or even earlier. Not so much with the loving and forgiving, and a fair amount of laying down the law. (For "God", read "Dad"...)

I still think it's a bit of a stretch for Dean to assume it was God's will that the predator get killed in a fluke accident precipitated by Dean, but... ::handwaves::

I saw that fluke accident and was like, "Final Destination II, much?" Not to put too fine a point on it, and surely Dean has seen that movie.

I suppose, speaking from the outsider's point of view, that my idea of praying is a bit more -- elaborate and obvious -- than most people's? Unless muttering to oneself, "Please let the keys be in my other pocket" counts as prayer. Which I do all the time, but I don't call it praying. While logically I know everybody doesn't do the "on your knees, palsm pressed together, elbows resting on the bedspread" thing, that's still the chief impression I have of the activity.

a fluke accident precipitated by Dean

Hmm. I never thought of him thinking of it that way. I was interpreting it more as a "Okay, if you won't kill him, I will" thing.

I do think the punishment outstripped the crime, but what do I know? I can't see into the hearts of men.

Oh, when that muscle by his nose quivers and he's practically snarling, that one?

Yeah.

exactly! it's more of an in motion kind of face, which can be seen here, ftr. screencaps don't really do it justice. and to be honest, i am pretty partial to his smug bastard looks too. not that i'm shallow about this show or anything. *cough*

I saw that fluke accident and was like, "Final Destination II, much?"

Heh. Very much. It also happens in The Descent.

I can't see into the hearts of men.

crosses "The Shadow" off list of potential ita secret identies

How can you not flail??? Are you made of human parts???

Er, no?

Seriously, I like the show a lot, and I think all the actors are doing fantastic jobs (watching the various levels of emotion cross their faces during some scenes is AMAZING). I just haven't been tripped into the flail headspace for some reason. They haven't hit my poor woobies! button.

Give her time. I didn't fall in until Usual Suspects, actually, although I liked the emo porn elements of the finale sequence well enough.

I'm not flailing either, Jilli! But I am a boy, so I don't know if I count.